THE organisers of Hawkshead Show have announced that Tuesday's (August 22) event has been cancelled due to 'unacceptable' ground conditions.

In a post on Facebook, a spokesperson said: "Due to health and safety the committee has come to the unfortunate decision that this year's show has to be CANCELLED.

"It was felt that it was not fair due to all competitors and spectators that the ground conditions are unacceptable. Thanks for all your support."

Sue Todd, general secretary told the Gazette that when the team had been putting the marquees up on Friday (August 18), water had been 'sloshing up'.

"It’s just been a very poor August hasn’t it," she said. 

"The fact it’s waterlogged, we can’t risk it and it’s no fun is it really? Half of the competitors might not have turned up anyway so we made the decision this morning (August 19) to cancel."

The show was cancelled last year due to torrential rail and looking ahead at the weather forecast, Ms Todd said that there was rain predicted for Monday (August 21). 

"It costs nearly as much to cancel as it does to put on because of all your marquees etc to pay for," she said, adding that it was a shame for the new traders who had come on board for this year. 

"If [the traders] want their money back they can have it back it's not a problem. And then there's all the sponsors as well most of them held it over from last year," she said.

"Not to worry we will survive and we’ll hope for better weather next year!"